key term - Enjambment

Definition

Enjambment is a poetic technique where a sentence or phrase runs over from one line to the next without a pause or break. This creates a sense of continuity and urgency in the poem, often forcing the reader to move quickly to the next line for completion of thought. It plays a significant role in shaping the rhythm and flow of poetry, connecting ideas across lines and enhancing emotional impact.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Enjambment is commonly found in various poetic forms, including free verse and traditional forms like sonnets.
2. By using enjambment, poets can manipulate pacing, allowing for varied rhythm and emphasis on specific words or phrases.
3. It can also create suspense or surprise by delaying the resolution of an idea until the following line.
4. Enjambment often contrasts with end-stopped lines, which provide clear breaks and can affect the emotional tone of a poem.
5. Many contemporary poets use enjambment to reflect modern speech patterns and enhance the fluidity of their work.

Review Questions

• How does enjambment affect the reading experience of a poem, particularly in traditional forms like sonnets or villanelles?
  • Enjambment affects the reading experience by creating a sense of flow and urgency that can heighten emotional engagement. In traditional forms such as sonnets or villanelles, where structure is significant, enjambment can introduce tension by pushing the reader quickly into the next line, thus affecting how themes and emotions are perceived. This technique contrasts with end-stopped lines that may create more definitive pauses, allowing for different interpretations and pacing.
• Compare and contrast the use of enjambment and end-stopped lines in shaping a poem's overall structure and rhythm.
  • Enjambment and end-stopped lines serve different purposes in shaping a poem's structure and rhythm. Enjambment creates continuity between lines, encouraging fluidity and momentum, while end-stopped lines offer clear breaks that can emphasize particular thoughts or feelings. The interplay between these techniques can enhance a poem's emotional impact; poets might use enjambment to build tension before a resolution provided by an end-stopped line.
• Evaluate how enjambment contributes to the thematic depth of contemporary free verse poetry compared to more traditional poetic forms.
  • Enjambment significantly contributes to thematic depth in contemporary free verse poetry by reflecting natural speech patterns and allowing for complex ideas to unfold across lines without interruption. This technique enables poets to explore themes in a more nuanced way, creating layers of meaning that resonate with modern readers. In contrast, traditional forms might use enjambment within strict structures, making it serve both rhythmic purposes and thematic emphasis, showcasing how form influences content across different poetic styles.

Related terms

End-stopped line: A poetic line that concludes with a punctuation mark, creating a pause at the end of the line.

Couplet: A pair of successive rhyming lines in a poem, often used to express a complete thought.

Caesura: A natural pause or break within a line of poetry, typically marked by punctuation, which can influence the rhythm.